National Republican., 1887-11-25

Many OF the National Guard went to bed
carly Wednesday night for the purpose OF
getting out In the ensuing morning two
hours in advance OF the usual time for rls-
ing. The first thing that was rellglously
observed on getting up was to look out
and see how the weather was. A dark.
threatening sky made things look very
gloomy, and at once it,,,,was put down that
the "held day" at the Washington bar
racks would get setback.
At o o'clock every armory In the District
presented busy scene Of soldiers getting
ready for the days work. Happiness
seemed to shine upon the faces Of all, aud
jokes were hurlen thick and fast at the
trembling form Of the young soldier who
was to make his first appearance In public.
The command to fall In was given
at o:S0 sharp, and Immediately seven bat
talions, numbering over / 300 men, were on
their way to the parade ground. The
troops marched In good style along the
streets, followed by large crowds Of people,
and not few ladies did their best to en- =
courage the boys by waving handkerchefs
and bestowing smiles upon them. Gen.
Gibson, commanding the barracks, was not
to be caught mapping, and, as the various
companies entered the F0ur-and-a-half
street gate, they were received by the bat.
TALON OF artillery stationed there, drawn up
In line, and at present arms. This made
the District boys happy, and they came to a
carry in response to the salute Of the regu.
lars. BY 10:30 the entire organization was
In line on the campus fronting the river.
Gen. Ordway and staff, comprising Ailu-
tant General Bigelow, Captains Clay and
Gales, all mounted, arrived early on the
scene and saw to the alignment OF the
troops.
Just as the drills were about to be entered
upon rain began to fall, and 1t looked for a
time as II the hopes Of all were to be dashed
by this uncomfortable feaiuIe. Gen. Ord.
way, with his characteristic promptness,
ordered the drills to begin on time. In
stantly the clear voice OF Maj. Moore wa,
heard giving the 81 battalion orders I
march, and In turn Capt. Dalton was sect
quick succession Mai Urell, OF the I'd bat.
talon; Capt. Mills, Of the 4th battalion;
Mai. Fisher, OF the 5th; Mai. Fleetwood, Of
the 9th, and Mai. Revells, Of the 9TH were
following in the wake Of the other COM
mands. For one hour the several battalions
were put through all manner OF maneuvers.
The hardest worked official was
and there directing, inspecting, and giving
confidence by his presence. The great
drawback to the easy movement OF the
troops was the unevenness OF the grounds,
and the wet grass made It very unpleasant
for marching. Another very great trouble
was the manner In which the crowd In
sisted upon getting In the way OF the
soldiers. Instead Of standing on the side
walks they crowded the pathway OF the
march. II was good concourse
of people, and one that was in sympathy
with the militia. II comprised the parents,
sweethearts, ana friends OF the boys.
The troops were not all In regulation
uniform. The Emmett Guards, the Colum-
bia Rifles, and Corcoran Cadets wore pants
Of their company uniform. The various
battalions wore the cap, pants, and leggings
number in line without blouses, and citl-
zens' coats were substituted. Taken col
lectively the appearance OF the line was very
satisfactory. TO 20 into criticism OF the
efforts OF the soldiers would be unjust. 1t
was not expected that they would exhibit
the proficiency that should characterize a
regular body Of soldiers in an old militia
fantry Corps was foremost In the drills, and
showed to excellent advantage. The Fen
cibles, the Washington Merchant Rifles,
the Columbia Rifles, the Ordwdy Rifles,
Corcoran Cadets, Emmet Guards, Union
Veteran Corps (frst company, Custer aud
Logan Camp Guards, Capital CITY Guards,
Washington Cadets, Butler Zouaves, and
Ordway Rifles did excellently well. Con
sideripg the disadvantages, and they were
rot few, this first exhibition was satlsfac-
tory In every respect. An artillery officer
remarked ''that there was fine material
among the soldiers, and 1t only wanted a
little time and encouragement to make
them a grand success" At II O'Clock
Gen. Ordway deemed 1t best to cut short
| further exercises, as heavy ruin was mo-
mentarily expected. He had dispatch
sent to the marine barracks notifying the
Marine band not to report. At 1890 the
| liue Of march for home was taken up, and
| headed by Gen. Ordway and his staff and
Kit Carson Post drum corps, the column
| marched up Four.and-a.ha street, taking
the route step. The line as 1t passed II
| review Of the crowds lining Pennsylvania
avenue marched with a steady gait
and Washington saw for the frs
| time the excellent organization 1
| has right to feel proud Of Had the day
been fine and the entire command their uni
| forms there would have been 1000 or NOR,
men on parade. When Fifteenth aud \
| streets was reached the parade was dis
landed and the companies returned Il
their various armorles.
There were many well-known army Off
GERS present at the arsenal to see thu
| militia. Gen. Gibson and his officers did
everything that was possible to make the
| sffair a success. The general has become on
Of Westinghouse most popular citizens, aut
is ever ready to do kind act for the people